Thursday, September 3, 2026

📰 News

Firefighters battled a large fire in piles of recyclable material at Emterra Environmental in Valleyview on Wednesday evening. Crews were called to the Kelly Douglas Road facility shortly after 5:30 p.m. as thick black smoke became visible across the city. Nearby workers moved vehicles and shut down equipment while firefighters worked around the outdoor storage area. (Castanet · CFJC Today)

The Kamloops area recorded its second-driest summer on record, leaving some rural wells and creeks dry. Environment Canada recorded 21.8 millimetres of rain through June, July and August, compared with a normal summer total of roughly 90 millimetres. Ranchers and rural residents report hauling or buying water, while one Barnhartvale dairy farmer estimates the lack of irrigation has added about $400,000 to livestock-feed costs. (Castanet · CFJC Today)

The TNRD has extended its FireSmart homeowner rebate deadline to October 31. The program is open to all Electoral Area property owners and covers up to 50 per cent of eligible fire-mitigation work, to a maximum of $1,000. The work must be completed within 30 metres of the home. (TNRD)

The TNRL has named George Johnson its 2026 Writer in Residence. The award-winning author and longtime Kamloops resident recently became professor emeritus after teaching creative writing and modern literature at TRU for 34 years. (TNRD)

Lyndsay McDonald has entered the race for Kamloops city council. McDonald moved to Kamloops in 2023 after working in personal support and operating a business focused on behavioural redirection for people with dementia. She says community support, inclusion and collaboration will shape her campaign. (CFJC Today)

---

🏛️ What Changed

Council has forwarded a Sahali land-removal application to the ALC without supporting it. More than 3,000 people signed a petition opposing the proposal near Gambles Pond, raising concerns about wildlife, traffic and pressure on nearby McGowan Park Elementary. The ALC will decide whether the land can leave the Agricultural Land Reserve; further city approvals would still be required before development. (CFJC Today)

Ainslie Creek has come off the provincial list of wildfires of note, and the Pear Lake designation ends after Wednesday. Both fires remain out of control, and the changes do not reduce the crews or equipment assigned to suppression work. BC Wildfire Service says extreme drought could keep parts of the fires smouldering inside their perimeters for weeks or into winter. (Ainslie Creek · Pear Lake)

Several recreation facilities will have adjusted public access during the 55+ BC Games from September 8 to 12. The Tournament Capital Centre fieldhouse, Riverside Park pickleball courts and multiple ice sheets will be unavailable during competition. Westsyde Pool closes for annual maintenance from September 8 to October 11, while limited lap swimming remains available at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre during the Games. (City of Kamloops)

---

📅 Events

The Kamloops Events directory has more than 400 listings from local calendars. Here are five options heading into the weekend.

The Kamloops Blazers host Kelowna Friday at 7 p.m. The WHL pre-season game is at Sandman Centre. (Kamloops Blazers)

The Community Family Festival comes to Valleyview Centennial Park Saturday. The event listing promises food, activities and an all-ages community gathering. (Event listing)

The annual World Suicide Prevention Day community event takes place Saturday. Participation in the walk is optional; check the listing for the gathering time and location. (Event listing)

The Saturday Kamloops Farmers’ Market runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Vendors set up on the 200 block of St. Paul Street and in the Stuart Wood schoolyard. (Kamloops Farmers’ Market)

A filmed performance of “SIX: The Musical” screens Sunday at 2 p.m. The presentation is at the Paramount Theatre. (Kamloops Film Society)

---

🛣️ Roads & Weather

⛅ Thursday brings a mix of sun and cloud with a high near 22°C. The latest AQHI reading was 2.85, in the low-risk range. Friday is expected to bring similar conditions and a high near 22°C.

Highway 5 bridge work will close the left lane between Shuswap Road and the Battle Street offramp Thursday. Drain maintenance is also scheduled on Highway 1 between Vicars Road and Miners Bluff Road, so watch for crews and a slow-moving vacuum truck.

---

🎮 Daily Game

Dialed: match colours from memory in five quick rounds.